Mommy and me music classes? HELP!! :)

Ok Ladies, I'm a certified music teacher, for nursery school through 12th grade, in CT. Last year, I worked as an elementary school general/vocal/orchestra teacher in a wealthy suburb of Hartford, CT. I HATED IT. There were a lot of things I hated about it, but I mainly hated HAVING A BOSS.

So I've been thinking a lot lately, and talking with DF, and we think I should start a business teaching Mommy & Me music classes! There are NONE in the town I live in, or the surrounding few towns, but if you head out 20 minutes or so, there are a few.

I think it would be something I could be really good at, and early childhood music is something I'm very passionate about. I don't know about where I would do it yet, but I was thinking of trying to rent out space in a church or community center to start with, and if the business ever really got rolling, I'd rent a storefront somewhere.

The question is....What do you think is reasonable to charge? I'd need to make, after rent, over $400 a week for it to make sense to have the job, which I don't think would be that hard.

I'm thinking of having 8-10 mommy/daddy/baby combos per class, no more. 45 minutes to an hour per class. I'm thinking of doing 2 classes a week per family.

What would you be willing to pay, either per class, or per month? I think I'd make the customers pay per month, otherwise it would just be too dangerous. One of the places by me charges $1500/PER SEMESTER (at a college) and it's 2 1-hr classes per week. Very expensive!

Oh- and I'm planning on getting certified by that same program, it's called First Steps in Music. It's awesome.

Ok Ladies, I'm a certified music teacher, for nursery school through 12th grade, in CT. Last year, I worked as an elementary school general/vocal/orchestra teacher in a wealthy suburb of Hartford, CT. I HATED IT. There were a lot of things I hated about it, but I mainly hated HAVING A BOSS.

So I've been thinking a lot lately, and talking with DF, and we think I should start a business teaching Mommy & Me music classes! There are NONE in the town I live in, or the surrounding few towns, but if you head out 20 minutes or so, there are a few.

I think it would be something I could be really good at, and early childhood music is something I'm very passionate about. I don't know about where I would do it yet, but I was thinking of trying to rent out space in a church or community center to start with, and if the business ever really got rolling, I'd rent a storefront somewhere.

The question is....What do you think is reasonable to charge? I'd need to make, after rent, over $400 a week for it to make sense to have the job, which I don't think would be that hard.

I'm thinking of having 8-10 mommy/daddy/baby combos per class, no more. 45 minutes to an hour per class. I'm thinking of doing 2 classes a week per family.

What would you be willing to pay, either per class, or per month? I think I'd make the customers pay per month, otherwise it would just be too dangerous. One of the places by me charges $1500/PER SEMESTER (at a college) and it's 2 1-hr classes per week. Very expensive!

Oh- and I'm planning on getting certified by that same program, it's called First Steps in Music. It's awesome.

On the move! Queen of the pool! Cake Monster! Mommy and her 1 year old girl!

From:
LukeyGandNo2

To: LoveBluenFluff

Posted: Nov-06 11:57 AM (2 of 17)

Have you checked out Kindermusik to compare? I went to kindermusik.com and did a class locater. Classes in my area range from $118.00 to $250.00. You can do more research into the difference in price, what they offer for the money, etc. But, it should give you a good idea of what others do.

My niece did Kindermusik and LOVED it. This would be a great idea for you and the mommies in your area! Good luck!

Have you checked out Kindermusik to compare? I went to kindermusik.com and did a class locater. Classes in my area range from $118.00 to $250.00. You can do more research into the difference in price, what they offer for the money, etc. But, it should give you a good idea of what others do.

My niece did Kindermusik and LOVED it. This would be a great idea for you and the mommies in your area! Good luck!

On the move! Queen of the pool! Cake Monster! Mommy and her 1 year old girl!

From:
HayleyT2008

To: LoveBluenFluff

Posted: Nov-06 12:14 PM (4 of 17)

I think this is a great idea! Personally I would charge by the class, I don't like commitment so if I were going to the class I would want to be able to show up and pay say 10 $. Maybe this is too cheap but if you had 2 classes a morning for two diffrent age groups and you eventually had 10 students per class you'd make 1000 dollars a week. That way youd have room for more or less attendance.

I would also start out by having nice posters made and go around asking to hang them in daycare, baby , clothing stores etc. Also hand out fliers that offer the first class free. Then you can spark intrest and hopefully hook clientele. I have a degree in advertising so I'm all about the marketing and gaining business!

I think this is a great idea! Personally I would charge by the class, I don't like commitment so if I were going to the class I would want to be able to show up and pay say 10 $. Maybe this is too cheap but if you had 2 classes a morning for two diffrent age groups and you eventually had 10 students per class you'd make 1000 dollars a week. That way youd have room for more or less attendance.

I would also start out by having nice posters made and go around asking to hang them in daycare, baby , clothing stores etc. Also hand out fliers that offer the first class free. Then you can spark intrest and hopefully hook clientele. I have a degree in advertising so I'm all about the marketing and gaining business!

I just had another thought, you could have the option of paying a lump sum for a set amount of classes where you receive a small discount and also offer pay as you option for the commit-o-phobes like myself.

I just had another thought, you could have the option of paying a lump sum for a set amount of classes where you receive a small discount and also offer pay as you option for the commit-o-phobes like myself.

Hey Lauren! I think it is a great idea. Why let your talents go to waste. I lived in northeast Tn. and there was a kindermusic class. You could go online and check it out. That would give you an idea of prices other places also.

Good luck! I hope you do good.

Hey Lauren! I think it is a great idea. Why let your talents go to waste. I lived in northeast Tn. and there was a kindermusic class. You could go online and check it out. That would give you an idea of prices other places also.

I'm part of a breastfeeding support group, so I was thinking of going and offering discount cards there to all the moms, maybe 1 free class, and 15% off "commitment" cards, and maybe 1 free class for a friend, that kind of a thing.

I also have neighbors that are graphic designers and they have a little 7 week old baby boy, so I was hoping to enlist their help in some sweet website/flyer/business card action.

I LOVE all your ideas!!

I'm part of a breastfeeding support group, so I was thinking of going and offering discount cards there to all the moms, maybe 1 free class, and 15% off "commitment" cards, and maybe 1 free class for a friend, that kind of a thing.

I also have neighbors that are graphic designers and they have a little 7 week old baby boy, so I was hoping to enlist their help in some sweet website/flyer/business card action.

On the move! Queen of the pool! Cake Monster! Mommy and her 1 year old girl!

From:
DarcysGirl

To: LoveBluenFluff

Posted: Nov-06 04:58 PM (9 of 17)

I think it is an awesome idea and there really is nothing like working for yourself with no authority to answer to.

I would probably pay up to 15 dollars per class. I live in Westchester County in NY where everything is expensive and some of the music classes are around $450.00. WHAT!!! No way could I afford to pay that but if you live in a well to do community it may work to ask for more.

I would also advertise in meetup.com and create a meetup group for your new business.

Good Luck!!!

I think it is an awesome idea and there really is nothing like working for yourself with no authority to answer to.

I would probably pay up to 15 dollars per class. I live in Westchester County in NY where everything is expensive and some of the music classes are around $450.00. WHAT!!! No way could I afford to pay that but if you live in a well to do community it may work to ask for more.

I would also advertise in meetup.com and create a meetup group for your new business.

I paid $195 for 12 weeks of Gymboree, which is 45 minutes once a week. It includes music and other motor activities like tummy time with a mirror, parachute, bubbles, scarves, and puppets and stuff. I would not charge as much for music only, though I did think $200 for 12 weeks was VERY reasonable...

I paid $195 for 12 weeks of Gymboree, which is 45 minutes once a week. It includes music and other motor activities like tummy time with a mirror, parachute, bubbles, scarves, and puppets and stuff. I would not charge as much for music only, though I did think $200 for 12 weeks was VERY reasonable...

Hey Rachel! Thanks for replying. :) Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner, you are NOT a thread-killer, I was in Colorado for eight freaking days with no internet!

Thanks for the link. I've definitely thought about doing lessons for older kids, I used to teach quite a lot of flute lessons. It's great money- I was making $50/hour, cash. I should really start that up again. Thanks for reminding me!

Hey Rachel! Thanks for replying. :) Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner, you are NOT a thread-killer, I was in Colorado for eight freaking days with no internet!

Thanks for the link. I've definitely thought about doing lessons for older kids, I used to teach quite a lot of flute lessons. It's great money- I was making $50/hour, cash. I should really start that up again. Thanks for reminding me!

On the move! Queen of the pool! Cake Monster! Mommy and her 1 year old girl!

From:
2MsMeandBaby

To: LoveBluenFluff

Posted: Nov-06 10:43 AM (13 of 17)

I think that is absolutely a wonderful idea Lauren! I have always wanted to open my own business, so I'm actually really jealous of you. ;o)

As far as what to charge, etc...I don't really know. If it was ME I probably wouldn't pay more than $50 a week. I don't know if that's not enough or anything...it depends on how often you are going to run the schooling or if you are willing to do one-on-one lessons with mom/baby.

Also, have you investigated the demand for this? You could always run it out of your house temporarily on a one-on-one basis until you built a strong clientale.

I think that is absolutely a wonderful idea Lauren! I have always wanted to open my own business, so I'm actually really jealous of you. ;o)

As far as what to charge, etc...I don't really know. If it was ME I probably wouldn't pay more than $50 a week. I don't know if that's not enough or anything...it depends on how often you are going to run the schooling or if you are willing to do one-on-one lessons with mom/baby.

Also, have you investigated the demand for this? You could always run it out of your house temporarily on a one-on-one basis until you built a strong clientale.

This is such a great idea!! I would prob. pay around the same as Cheryl. It would def. be an extra expensive you know. You could always try it out of your house at first and see how much business you get. Just so you aren't paying rent and not making a profit you know. Keep us updated!!

This is such a great idea!! I would prob. pay around the same as Cheryl. It would def. be an extra expensive you know. You could always try it out of your house at first and see how much business you get. Just so you aren't paying rent and not making a profit you know. Keep us updated!!

If you were to run a 6-8 week class, I would probably pay $200-300 for the whole thing, if it were once a week. If it were twice a week I may consider more, but it would relaly have to be a kick-ass class!

But that is probably because I am poor, LOL, but I think some programs here run about that in terms of cost.

I am sure your classes would be awesome though!

I agree with PP, check for the demand and how much you think your potential clientele would be willing to pay, and get various quotes form other schools within a 100 mile radius.

Good luck, jealous!

If you were to run a 6-8 week class, I would probably pay $200-300 for the whole thing, if it were once a week. If it were twice a week I may consider more, but it would relaly have to be a kick-ass class!

But that is probably because I am poor, LOL, but I think some programs here run about that in terms of cost.

I am sure your classes would be awesome though!

I agree with PP, check for the demand and how much you think your potential clientele would be willing to pay, and get various quotes form other schools within a 100 mile radius.

Awesome idea! I agree on seeing what people would pay for the class in your area. Also, have you considered talking to the local VFW or American Legion. They may help you out by letting you have a space for little or no money since you are a military spouse. Depending when you want to have classes, they may have lots of room and no people there.

Awesome idea! I agree on seeing what people would pay for the class in your area. Also, have you considered talking to the local VFW or American Legion. They may help you out by letting you have a space for little or no money since you are a military spouse. Depending when you want to have classes, they may have lots of room and no people there.

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